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llg CHILD'S BOOK 



^WESTMINSTER SHORTER CATECHISM. 

AN EASY INTROPUCilC . SN.O HELP FOR UNDfcfi? LANDING 

THAT WORK, AN- ' "■ EMITTING IT TO}iKMOI?i T . 
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II EV. JAMES R. BOTD, 

AUTHOR OF A LARGER TTOV. ON THE CATECHISM, VlTH FRACT1C-! 
INFERENCES, IL! . 5 I ftATIVE AKECDOTES. 



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1 






NEW YORK: 
PUBLISHED BY M. W. DOT 

BRICK CHURCH CHAPEL, CITY HALL SQUARE. 

1855. 



THE 



CHILD'S BOOK 



WESTMINSTER SHOETER CATECHISM. 



AN EASY INTRODUCTION AND HELP FOR UNDERSTANDING 
THAT WORK, AND COMMITTING IT TO MEMORY. 




REV. JAMES R. BOYD, 

AUTHOR OF A LARGER "WORK ON THE CATECHISE, "WITH PRACTICAL 
INFERENCES, ILLUSTRATIVE ANECDOTES, ETC. 



NEW YORK: 
PUBLISHED BY M. W. DODD, 

BRICK CHURCH CHAPEL, CITY HALL SQUARE. 






Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1855, 
BY M. W. DODD, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Southern District 
of New York. 



STEREOTYPED BY E. O. JENKINS, 

THOMAS B. SMITH, PRINTER, 

82 & 8-1 Beekman Street. Frankfort St. 









PREFACE. 

Having sent forth a larger work, not elementary 
enough for children under twelve years of age, there 
seemed to be a necessity to provide another for a 
younger class of the students of the admirable 
Catechetical Compound of Christian Doctrine and 
Duty, composed by the Westminster divines. 

As it is the usual practice with parents, who in- 
struct their children in the Shorter Catechism, to 
put them to the study of it under ten years of age ; 
and as the Catechism can not fail to be a dry book, 
and one difficult to commit to memory, unless the 
way be prepared by some introductory instruction, 
either oral or written ; as, moreover, it is extremely 
desirable to avoid the too common evil of creating 
a prejudice in the mind of the child against the 



IV PREFACE. 

Catechism itself, from its being altogether above 
his comprehension, this little work is designed to 
open and smooth the way for him to understand, 
and thus more readily to lodge in the memory, the 
great outlines of Christian truth and duty, as laid 
down in the Catechism. 

For a more full view of the import of the "West- 
minster Shorter Catechism, for Scriptural proofs of 
its statements, for practical lessons deduced from 
it, and for illustrative anecdotes to cast light upon 
its doctrines and duties, and to awaken an earnest 
regard to them, the author would call attention to 
his larger work. 

Some of the anecdotes and practical lessons con- 
tained in that work may be profitably used by the 
parent or teacher, in carrying children through this 
more elementary volume. 

It is the aim of these treatises to divest the 
venerable and truly excellent production of the 
Westminster divines of that abstract, and, to 
young minds, repulsive aspect which it always 



PREFACE. V 

bears, when studied by itself, without previous ex- 
planation and illustration, and to furnish the minds 
of children and youth, not only with a knowledge 
of the truths contained in the Catechism, but with a 
knowledge of the practical bearings and uses of 
those truths, and with impressive illustrations of 
their operation or of their utility, in actual life. 

For a more full exhibition of the claims of the 
Westminster Catechism itself to careful study, and 
acceptance, and practical regard, in Christain fami- 
lies, the author begs leave to refer to the Introduc- 
tory Remarks in his larger work. 

It will thus be seen that each of these expositions 
has an important sphere, for which it is adapted in 
the family and in the Sabbath school ; that the one 
does not supersede the other ; and that both may 
be advantageously used together. 

It has been the author's earnest desire and prayer, 
that the use of these Commentaries upon the West- 
minster Shorter Catechism may prepare the way 
for the higher appreciation and more efficient in- 



VI PREFACE. 

fluence of the ministrations of the pulpit, of the 
lecture-room, of the prayer-meeting, and of do- 
mestic worship ; and may thus lead many of the 
children and youth of Christian congregations and 
families to an early knowledge, and acceptance, and 
service of the Lord Jesus Christ ; and thus prove 
the means of advancing the progress of His king- 
dom, and of promoting the glory of His great 
name the more speedily and widely on the earth. 



CHILD'S BOOK 

ON 

THE SHORTER CATECHISM. 



THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH MAN WAS MADE. 

1. Who made you? 
God. 

2. What did lie make you for ? 

He made me for more than one end, or purpose; 
but his highest end in making me was to glorify God 
and enjoy him for ever. 

3. What is it to glorify God ? 

It is to honor, love, and serve him. 

4. What is it to enjoy God ? 

It is to have his friendship and love, and thus to be 
as happy as possible. 

5. For how long a time are you to honor God, and 
thus be happy in his favor ? 

For ever. 

6. What does all this teach you ? 

1. That I am to thank God that he has made me 
for so high and good a purpose, and that I must make 
it my earnest business to do what he made me for. 

2. I must be thankful that God has made me to 
live for ever, and to live in the happiest manner pos- 



8 RULE BY WHICH MAN IS TO GLORIFY GOD. 

sible, if I love and obey him in this short life on 
earth. 

Therefore (1) "What is man's chief end ? 

Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy 
Him for ever. 



THE RULE BY WHICH MAN IS TO GLORIFY GOD. 

1. Does man, of himself, know how to glorify God 
and enjoy him ? 

He does not ; he needs some rule, some directions. 

2. Has God given any such rule? Has he spoken or 
written to us on the subject ? 

He has spoken or written to us all that we need to 
know. The Bible is called the Word of God, because 
he has therein spoken to us. It is called the Scrip- 
tures, or writings, because he has therein written to us. 
They were written with the pen at first, and continued 
to be thus written until the art of printing was in- 
vented in the fifteenth century. 

3. Did God write them himself, or cause men to 
write them ? 

Except the ten commandments, which he himself 
wrote, all the Bible was written by good men, whom 
he directed and taught what to write ; so that what 
they have written has the same authority and value as 
if God had himself written it. 

4. Into what parts is the Word of God divided? 
Into the Old and New Testaments. 

5. What books does the Old Testament contain ? 
Genesis, Exodus, &c. (See the Bible.) 



RULE BY WHICH MAN IS TO GLORIFY GOD. 9 

6. "What books does the New Testament contain ? 
Matthew, Mark, &c. (See the Bible.) 

7. What does the word Testament here mean ? 

It means the same as the word Covenant, agreement, 
method of proceeding, plan of action, system of in- 
struction and religious service. 

8. What is the Old Testament sometimes called ? 

It is called the Mosaic Dispensation, as it contains the 
writings, the laws, and the religious ceremonies given 
by Moses. 

9. What is the New Testament sometimes called ? 
The New, or Gospel Dispensation ; sometimes the 

Christian Dispensation ; being that system of doctrine, 
and worship, and salvation which was brought in by 
Jesus Christ. 

10. Who were the writers of the Old and New Cov- 
enants ? 

Moses and the Prophets wrote the books contained 
in the former ; the Evangelists and Apostles wrote 
those of the latter. 

11. How then are you to read their writings? 

I am to read them with great attention and seriousness, 
and with a readiness to believe what they teach, and to 
obey what they command, as proceeding from the high 
and awful authority of God ; as being Ms word to me. 

12. Is there no other rule of conduct but the Bible ? 
This is the only plain, Divine rule which I am bound 

to obey ; and whatever disagrees with it is to be disre- 
garded or rejected. 

Therefore (2) What rule has God given to direct 

ITS HOW WE MAY GLORIFY AND ENJOY HIM ? 

The Word of God, which is contained in the 



10 NATURE AND PERFECTIONS OF GOD. 

Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the 
only rule to direct us how we may glorify and en- 
joy him. 



THE PRINCIPAL INSTRUCTIONS OF THE HOLY SCRIP- 
TURES. 

1. Are all the teachings of the Bible of equal import- 
ance ? 

Some are of greater value, and worthy of more par- 
ticular attention than others. 

2. What are the principal, or more valuable parts 
of the "Word of God ? 

Those which teach me what things I am to oelieve 
concerning God, and what God commands me to oe and 
to do ; in other words, what my duty is. 

3. Are these parts to receive my greatest attention ? 
As they deserve it, so should they receive it ; and 

such is God's desire, and my own advantage. 

Therefore (3) "What do the Scriptures principally 

TEACH ? 

The Scriptures principally teach what man is to 
believe concerning God, and what duty God re- 
quires of man. 



NATURE AND PERFECTIONS OF GOD. 

1. What is a spirit ? 

It is a being that has none of the properties of 
matter ; is without a body. 

2. What is infinite f 

It is that which has no limits or bounds ; is vast 
and inconceivably great. 



NATURE AND PERFECTIONS OF GOD. 11 

3. "What is eternal? 

It is that which has always existed, and always 
shall exist. 

4. What is unchangeable ? 

That which has always been and always shall be 
what it now is ; having the same nature and properties. 

5. What kind of a being is God ? 

God is a spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeadle ; 
he is without a body ; he is confined to no particular 
space, nor has he any limits ; he always existed, and 
always will exist; and in no respect different from 
what he now is and ever has been. 

6. In what particulars is God infinite, eternal, and 
unchangeable ? 

He is so in his being, or manner of existence, or na- 
ture, as superior to all other beings. 

7. In what other particulars is God infinite, eternal, 
and unchangeable ? 

In his wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, 
and truth. 

8. What is the wisdom of God? 

It means not only knowledge, but the right and best 
use of his boundless stores of knowledge. He knows all 
things, and he turns his knowledge to the best account. 

9. W^iat is the power of God ? 

It is the ability which he has to do what he desires 
or purposes to do. 

10. What is the holiness of God? 

The holiness of God is his entire freedom from 
every things wrong in feeling and in action. He is 
incapable of loving or doing any thing that is un- 
worthy of himself, and of the honor of his great 
name. His holiness causes him, likewise, to hate and 



12 UNITY OF GOD. 

to oppose all that is wrong in the feelings or conduct 
of his creatures ; and, on the other hand, to be pleased 
with all that is right and pure. 

11. What is the justice of God? 

The justice of God causes him to do what is right 
to his creatures, and to demand of them what is due 
to himself, and to punish them when they refuse to 
render it. 

12. What is the goodness of God? 

The goodness of God is that perfection by which 
he is prompted to use means for making his creatures 
happy. 

13. "What do you understand by the truth of God ? 
The truth or faithfulness of God is that perfection 

by which he cares to do all that he has promised or 
threatened ; so that what he has said may ever be relied 
upon ; and " thus saith the Lord" is the surest thing in 
the universe. 

14. What do you learn from the above statements ? 
I learn that God is the most interesting being in the 

universe ; the most to be studied, honored, loved, and 
feared. 

Therefore (4) What is God ? 

God is a spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangea- 
ble, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, 
goodness and truth. 



UNITY OF GOD. 

1. How many Gods are there, such as is described in 
the last answer? 
There is but one. 



UNITY OF GOD. 13 

2. Are there not other beings or things that are 
called gods, and worshiped as such ? 

Yes, a vast number, and of great variety. 

3. What names are applied to such in the Bible ? 
They are called idols, vanity, a lie. 

4. How do they differ from God as described above ? 
They either do not exist, but are merely imagined to 

exist ; or they are only created things, animate or in- 
animate, and there is no reason why they should be 
honored and worshiped as gods. 

5. How is God described, in opposition to them ? 
He is described as the only God, as the living God, as 

the true God. 

6. Why is he called the only God? 

Because there are no other beings worthy of the 
name or place of God. 

7. Why is he called the living God ? 

Not only in contrast with the gods which the heathen 
worship, and which are without life, and without un- 
derstanding, but because he is the great author and 
preserver of the life of every living creature, and he 
gave existence to all things. 

8. Why is he called the true God ? 

Because all other beings that are called and regarded 
as gods, are not really such ; they are false gods ; those 
who worship them are deceived. 

9. Is it a common thing to worship these dead and 
false gods ? 

It is supposed that over six hundred millions of 
mankind pay all their religious respect and worship to 
no other god than such miserable things as these. 

10. What do such deluded people need ? 

They need the Holy Scriptures to direct them to 
2 



14 DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY. 

give up such a degrading sort of worship, and to lift 
up their hearts to that great, and good, and supreme 
Being, whom we are taught to look up to as our God 
and alone worthy to be the God of all men. 

What then do you reply to the question (5) Are 

THERE MORE GODS THAN ONE ? 

There is but one God only, the living and true 
God. 



THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY. 

1. While there is but one God, what interesting fact 
do the Scriptures reveal about his manner of existing, 
or his nature ? 

They speak of the Godhead as including the Father, 
the Son, and the Holy Ghost 

2. Is the Father God ? 

Yes, but not separate from the Son and the Holy 
Ghost, or Spirit. 

3. Is the Son God? 

Yes, but not exclusive of the Father and the Holy 
Spirit. 

4. Is the Holy Spirit God ? 

Yes, but not to the exclusion of the Father and of 
the Son. 

5. Do these make three gods? 

No : they together make one divine, supreme Being, 
yet the Father is God, the Son is God, the Holy Spirit 
is God ? 

6. What are these called? 

They are called the persons of the Godhead. 



THE DECREES OF GOD. 15 

2. Is the word person used in the same sense as when 
we apply it to one another ? 

Not at all : but merely to show that there is a three- 
fold difference in the manner of God's existence. 

3. Is this a fact 'which we are able to comprehend ? 
No ; it is above the comprehension of the wisest 

man. 

4. Why then are you required to believe the fact ? 
Because God, who alone understands his own great 

nature, so describes himself in the Bible, as God the 
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 

5. Is the substance of the Father, Son and Spirit, the 
same? 

It is. 

6. Is there any difference between the Father, Son 
and Spirit, as to power, excellence, worthiness, and 
greatness ? 

Not at all, for the names, the qualities, the works, 
the worship peculiar to God are ascribed equally to the 
Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. 

Therefore (6) How many peesoxs aee theee in the 
Godhead ? 

There are three persons in the Godhead, the 
Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these 
three (persons) are one God, the same in sub- 
stance, equal in power and glory. 



THE DECREES OF GOD. 

1. Has God any thing to do with what comes to 
pass? 

Yes : he knows beforehand all that will come to pass. 



16 THE DECREES OF GOD. 

2. Does he do any thing to cause it to come to pass ? 

Yes : he either causes it by his own power and wis- 
dom, or he chooses that it shall take place by means 
of other beings. 

3. Has he any plan laid down in his own infinite 
mind, any settled thoughts as to what shall actually 
take place and as to what shall not take place? 

He has such a plan, such & purpose. 

4. "When did he form it ? When did he arrange in 
his own mind what should take place ? 

He always had such a plan ; his purpose concerning 
things future always existed in his mind ; that is, it was 
an eternal purpose. What he now determines or pur- 
poses, he always determined or purposed to do, or to 
allow to be done. 

5. Were his purposes or intentions formed by the ad- 
vice of any other being ? 

Not at all : they were formed before any other being 
lived, and by himself and as he himself chose ; that is, 
according to the counsel of Ms own will ; not as other 
beings might will for him. 

6. What guided him in forming his plans or pur- 
poses ? 

He sought to gain honor or glory to himself, in what 
he purposed or foreordained to come to pass. 

7. Is this the highest and best reason for what God 
has done in bringing about, or allowing events to hap- 
pen as they do ? 

There can be no object more important, than that 
God, the greatest and best of beings, should make him- 
self known, and duly honored, and obeyed, and loved, 
among his intelligent creatures. 



CREATION OF THE WORLD. 17 

Therefore (7) What are the Decrees of God ? 

The decrees of God are his eternal purposes, ac- 
cording to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his 
own glory, he hath foreordained whatsoever comes 
to pass. 

EXECUTION OF GOd's DECREES. 

1. What works of God are there? 
Those of Creation, and of Providence. 

2. Do his decrees or purposes relate to these works ? 
In these works he executes or brings to pass what he 

has purposed or foreordained. 

Therefore (8) How does God execute his decrees ? 
God executeth his decrees in the works of crea- 
tion and providence. 



THE CREATION OF THE WORLD. 

1. TTho made all things ? 
God. 

2. Of what did he make them ? 

Out of nothing ; there was at 'first nothing to make 
them out of. 

3. How did he make them ? 

By the icord of his power ; by his simple command. 
He merely put forth his power and they came into 
being as he willed that they should. 

4. For how long a time was he employed in creating 
the world ? 

The space of six days. 



18 CREATION OF MAN. 

5. What was the nature of all things when they 
came from the hands of the Creator ? 

They were all very good; they answered the pur- 
pose for which God made them ; they were just as 
they should be. The world was well made and did 
honor to the Maker. 

Therefore (9) What is the work of creation ? 

The work of creation is God's making all things 
of nothing, by the word of his power, in the space 
of six days, and all very good. 



the creation of man. 

1. After whose image, or likeness, did God make the 
first man or woman ? 

After his own image ; in their character and station 
they greatly resembled their Creator. 

2. In what respects did they resemble God ? 

In knowledge, righteousness, and holiness ; that is, they 
were knowing, righteous, and holy beiugs, and, so far, 
were altogether superior to other creatures on earth. 

3. In what other respect did they resemble God ? 
In the dominion, or rule, which God gave them over 

the other creatures and things on earth. They had au- 
thority to make use of them according to their wants, 
and creatures were made obedient to their wishes in 
this respect. 

Therefore (10) How did God create man ? 

God created man, male and female, after his own 
image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, 
with dominion over the creatures. 



COVENANT OF WORKS. 19 

god's GENERAL PROVIDENCE. 

1. Does God preserve and govern all his creatures? 
He keeps them in existence, and supplies their wants ; 

he has them at all times in his power, and by means 
of them carries out his plans, and does what he chooses 
to do with them. 

2. Does God govern the actions of his creatures ? 
All their actions are under his direction and rule, so 

that they can do nothing except as he pleases to let 
them, and even their bad actions he is able to turn 
to a good result. 

3. What can be said of the manner in which God pre- 
serves and governs Ms creatures and their actions ? 

It is most holy, wise and powerful. Such is the provi- 
dence of God. 

Therefore (11) What are God's works of provi- 
dence ? 

God's works of providence are his most holy, 
wise, and powerful preserving and governing all his 
creatures, and all their actions. 



THE COVENANT OF WORKS. 

1. After man was created, what covenant or agree- 
ment did God make with him ? 

He entered into a covenant of life with him. 

2. Wiiy was this agreement called a covenant of life t 
Because life was promised and secured to man, if 

he should do what it required. 

3. What was the condition, that is, what was to be 
done by man, that life might be secured to him ? 

The condition was perfect obedience ; man was to act 



20 man's disobedience and fall by sin. 

fully and constantly according to the requirement of the 
covenant. 

4. What was the requirement ? 

That man should not eat of the fruit of a certain 
tree in the garden, called the tree of the knowledge of 
good and evil. 

5. Why was it so called ? 

Because the eating of that fruit, after God had for- 
bidden it, brought man to know, by feeling, the dif- 
ferent effects of doing good and of doing evil. 

6. What bad effect was to follow upon disobeying 
God in this particular ? 

Man became subject to death. 

7. What good effect would follow if man had re- 
fused to eat of that tree ? 

His life, and innocence, and happiness, would always 
have continued. 

Therefore (12) What particular and important 

ACT OF PROVIDENCE DID GOD EXERCISE TOWARD MAN IN 
THE STATE WHEREIN HE WAS CREATED ? 

When God had created man he entered into a 
covenant of life with him, upon condition of per- 
fect obedience ; forbidding him to eat of the tree 
of the knowledge of good and evil, upon the pain 
of death. 



MAN'S DISOBEDIENCE AND FALL BY SIN. 

1. Did our first parents obey God in regard to the 
fruit of the tree ? 
No : they sinned against God. 



NATURE OF SIN IN GENERAL. 21 

2. How did this happen? 

They were left to the freedom of their own will ; that 
is, were left to do as they pleased, were not compelled 
to do right, or as God directed. 

3. What happened when they transgressed the rule 
of action which God gave them ? 

They fell from the estate in which they were created ; 
that is, they were no longer in a state of innocence and 
of happiness. 

Therefore (13) Did our first parents continue in 

THE ESTATE WHEREIN THEY WERE CREATED ? 

Our first parents, being left to the freedom of 
their own will, fell from the estate wherein they 
were created, by sinning against God. 



NATURE OF SIN IN GENERAL. 

1. When we neglect or fail to do what God requires, 
what may we call such conduct? 

It is a want of conformity to the law of God, a want 
of obedience to it. 

2. When we do that which God forbids, what may 
the act be called ? 

It is a transgression of the law, a going "beyond what 
it allows. 

3. What is either of these kinds of conduct called ? 
It is called sin f 

Therefore (14) What is sin ? 
Sin is any want of conformity unto, or trans- 
gression of the law of God. 



22 EXTENT OF THE FALL. 

NATURE OF ADAm's SIN, IN PARTICULAR. 

1. "What was the first sin ? 
Eating of the forbidden fruit. 

2. "What was implied in this sin ? 

Our first parents thereby lost their innocence, so that 
their state or' mode of life became sadly different from 
what it was at first. 

Therefore (15) What was the sin whereby our 

FIRST PARENTS FELL FROM THE ESTATE WHEREIN THEY 
WERE CREATED ? 

The sin whereby our first parents fell from the 
estate wherein they were created, was their eating 
the forbidden fruit. 



EXTENT OF THE FALL. 

1. Did Adam's sin and fall stop with himself? 

His sin and fall included the sin and fall of his chil- 
dren, and of all that should descend from him in the 
ordinary way. 

2. Have any persons descended from him in any 
other way ? 

Jesus Christ was born in a peculiar and extraordi- 
nary manner. 

3. Why was this ? 

Because it was necessary for him, as a Saviour, that 
he should be born without a sinful nature. 

4. How did it happen that because Adam sinned and 
fell from innocence, all mankind should become sinners 
also, and exposed to misery ? 

Because the covenant, or agreement, about the tree 



CONSEQUENCES OF THE FALL. 23 

of knowledge of good and evil, related not only to 
Adam, but to all mankind that should come after him 
in the common way. 

5. What do you mean by this ? 

I mean, that if Adam had continued obedient to 
God, as long as God chose to try him, it would hap- 
pen that they would be born with a sinless nature, and 
remain in an innocent and happy condition. But on 
the other hand, if Adam should prove disobedient, 
they would possess his nature in its changed and fallen 
state. Thus it appears that he acted not for himself 
alone, but for them also. It was appointed that his 
conduct would affect their character and condition. 

Therefore (16) Did all mankind fall in Adam's 

FIRST TRANSGRESSION ? 

The covenant being made with Adam, not only 
for himself, but for his posterity, all mankind de- 
scending from him by ordinary generation sinned 
in him, and fell with him in his first transgression. 



CONSEQUENCES OF THE FALL. 

1. What does sin lead to ? 

Sin leads to misery ; it leads to p*in. 

2. What is meant by the fall of Aaam ? 

It means his descending, by his first sin, from a higher 
to a lower condition ; from a better to a worse ; from a 
right to a wrong state. 

Therefore (17) Into what state did the fall bring 

MANKIND ? 

The fall brought mankind into a state of sin and 
misery. 



24 SINFULNESS OF MAN'S STATE BY THE FALL. 
THE SINFULNESS OF MAN'S STATE BY THE FALL. 

1. What state did Adam's first sin bring man into ? 
Into a state of sinfulness, 

2. What does that sinfulness consist in ? 
Eirst, in the guilt of Adam's first sin. 

3. What do you mean by this ? 

I mean that, on account of that sin, we are made 
liable to sorrow and death as if we had ourselves com- 
mitted it. 

4. What else (2) is included in the sinfulness of man- 
kind ? 

The want of original righteousness. 

5. What do you mean by this? 

The want of that entire goodness or rightness of 
character which Adam had when he was created. 

6. Does the sinfulness of man include any thing 
else? 

It includes (3) the corruption of his whole nature. 

7. What do you mean by this ? 

By this I mean that man, as to the body and soul, 
is in an unsound and diseased condition. He does 
not act as Adam at first did. At first he was perfect ; 
his actings were all right ; but since his fall the powers 
of mind and body tend to a bad use ; tend to unlawful 
action. 

8. What is this corruption commonly called. 

It is commonly called original sin, or the sin that is 
torn with us; it may be regarded as a part of our na- 
ture or constitution. It is not learned by imitation of 
others, though it may be thereby increased. It is 
natural to us. It comes to us without any effort on our 
part. 



MISERY OF MAN'S STATE BY THE FALL. 25 

9. Does the sinfulness of our estate embrace any 
thing besides the three particulars mentioned already ? 

It embraces also (4) the actual transgressions which 
proceed from the corruption or depravity of our whole 
nature. It embraces all the sinful acts which we com- 
mit. 

Therefore (18) Wherein consists the sinfulness 

OF THE ESTATE WHEEEINTO MAN FELL ? 

The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell 
consists in the guilt of Adam's first sin, the want 
of original righteousness, and the corruption of his 
whole nature, which is commonly called original 
sin, together with all actual transgressions which 
proceed from it. 



THE MISERY OF MAN S STATE BY THE FALL. 

1. What did all mankind lose by the fall of Adam ? 
They lost communion with God ; they lost his friend- 
ship, his gracious presence, and favor. 

2. What did the fall bring mankind under ? 

The fall brought mankind under the wrath and curse 
of God; under God's displeasure, and under the con- 
demning sentence of his law. 

3. To what were mankind thus exposed or made 
liable ? 

They were made liable to all the miseries, or evils, of 
this life, to death itself and to the pains of hell for 
ever. 

Therefore (19) What is the miseey of that state 

WHEREINTO MAN FELL ? 

All mankind by their fall lost communion with 
3 



26 PLAN OF REDEMPTION. 

God, are under his wrath and curse, and so made 
liable to all the miseries of this life, to death it- 
self, and to the pains of hell for ever. 



THE PLAN OF REDEMPTION. 

1. To what did God elect, or choose some men? 
God elected some men to everlasting life. 

2. When did he do this? 

From all eternity ; that is, God has always chosen 
some men to everlasting life. 

3. On what account? Was it for the sake of any- 
thing good in them, or of any thing done. 

It was out of Ms mere good pleasure ; it was only be- 
cause he saw it proper, or best to do so ; it was for rea- 
sons which he has not made known ; it must have been 
for good reasons. 

4. What did this election of some men to everlasting 
life lead God to do ? 

It led him to enter into a Covenant of Grace. 

5. What is meant by this expression ? 

An agreement, or plan, showing the greatest kind- 
ness and undeserved favor. 

6. What was the object of this covenant or gracious 
plan? 

The object of the Covenant of Grace was to deliver 
those who were elected to everlasting life out of the es- 
tate of sin and misery, and to bring them into the oppo- 
site state of salvation. 

7. By means of whom were the elect to be thus de- 
livered and saved? 

By a Redeemer. 



PERSON AND CHARACTER OF THE REDEEMER. 27 

Therefore (20) Did God leave all mankind to 

PERISH IN THE ESTATE OF SIN AND MISERY ? 

God, having out of his mere good pleasure, from 
all eternity, elected some to everlasting life, did 
enter into a Covenant of Grace to deliver them 
out of the estate of sin and misery, and to bring 
them into a state of salvation, by a Redeemer. 



THE PERSON AND CHARACTER OF THE REDEEMER. 

1. "Who is the Redeemer of God's elect ? 

The Lord Jesus Christ is the Bedeemer, and the only 
Redeemer of God's elect, 

2. Who is the Lord Jesus Christ ? 

The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. 

3. Did he become any thing else than God ? 

He, whilst he was the eternal Son of God, became man. 

4. Was the Lord Jesus Christ both God and man ? 
He teas, and he continues to be God and mom. 

5. Is his nature as God mixed with his nature as man ? 
The divine and human natures of Christ are distinct. 

6. Does Christ exist in two persons ? 
Christ exists in one person or being. 

7. How long will he have the two natures of God 
and man, and how long will he exist in one person? 

For ever. 

Therefore (21) Who is the redeemer of God's 
elect ? 

The only Redeemer of God's elect is the Lord 
Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, 
became man, and so was and continueth to be God 



28 OFFICES OF THE REDEEMER. 

and man in two distinct natures and one person, 
for ever. 



THE REDEEMER TAKING THE NATURE OF MAN. 

1. How did Christ, who was the Son of God, become 
man? 

Christ took to himself, or joined to himself, a true or 
real tody, and a reasonable (or rational) soul, thus mak- 
ing up a complete man — all that belongs to a man. 

2. How was Christ, as a man, born ? 

The human soul and body of Christ were formed in 
an extraordinary and miraculous manner, by the "power 
of the Holy Ghost in the womb of the Virgin Mw*y, and 
born of her. 

3. "Was he born with such a moral nature as persons 
who are born in the usual way ? 

His human nature was produced and begotten in this 
peculiar way that it might be without sin. 

Therefore (22) How did Chkist, being the Son of 
God, become man ? 

Christ, the Son of God, became man by taking 
to himself a true body and a reasonable soul ; be- 
ing conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost in 
the womb of the Virgin Mary, and born of her, 
yet without sin. 



THE OFFICES OF THE REDEEMER. 

1. As our Redeemer what offices, or duties, does Christ 
execute, or fulfill ? 
Those of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king. 



PROPHETICAL OFFICE OF CHRIST. 29 

2. In what states or conditions does he execute those 
offices ; in other words, where does he act as a prophet, 
priest and king ? 

In his estate of humiliation and of exaltation ; that 
is,, during his residence on earth and since he returned 
to heaven. 

Therefore (23) What offices does Christ execute 

AS OUR REDEEMER? 

Christ, as our Redeemer, executeth the offices of 
a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in his 
estate of humiliation and of exaltation. 



THE PROPHETICAL OFFICE OF CHRIST. 

1. What does Christ, as a prophet, reveal to us ? 

He reveals, or makes known to us, the will of God ; 
what God would have us to know and to do. 

2. How does he reveal to us the will of God ? 

By his Word and Spirit, by the sieved Scriptures, 
and by the unseen influences of the Holy Spirit upon 
our minds and hearts, by which we are made to under- 
stand and to feel the force of what the Scriptures con- 
tain. 

3. Why does Christ thus make known to us the will 
of God ? 

He makes it known to us for our salvation ; we could 
not otherwise be saved ; and hence we ought most 
highly to regard and attend to what we are taught by 
the Word and Spirit of the living God. 

What salvation is intended ? 

A deliverance from sin, and from misery, to a certain . 
extent in this life, but fully and for ever in the next. 



30 CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. 

Therefore (24) How doth Christ execute (or per- 
form) THE OFFICE OF A PROPHET ? 

Christ executeth the office of a prophet in reveal- 
ing to us, by his Word and Spirit, the will of God 
for our salvation. 



CHRIST S PRIESTLY OFFICE. 

1. As a priest, what did Christ do ? 

He offered up himself as a sacrifice on the cross ; he 
gave his life for us. 

2. For what purpose did he do this? 

To satisfy divine justice, and to reconcile us to God. 

3. "What is meant by his satisfying divine justice ? 
He obeyed and suffered all that the law and justice 

of God required of him, as standing in the place of 
those for whom he died. 

4. What is meant by his reconciling us to God ? 
From enemies to God we become friends, and are 

treated as such ; we enjoy the favor of God. 

5. What other thing does Christ do, as our priest? 
He makes continual intercession for us. He prays 

for us ; he, in heaven, is always helping on our salva- 
tion. 

6. Is there any other priest but Christ able to per- 
form these duties ? 

There is none other. He alone can do what has now 
been ascribed to him. 

Therefore (25) How doth Christ execute the of- 
fice of a priest ? 

Christ executeth the office of a priest in his once 
offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine 



OF CHRIST'S STATE OF HUMILIATION. 31 

justice, and reconcile us to God, and in making con- 
tinual intercession for us. 



CHRIST S KINGLY OFFICE. 

1. What does Christ execute or do for us as a king? 

(1) He subdues us to himself, if we belong to his 
people ; he makes us willingly to obey his commands. 

(2) He rules ^ls ; he gives us laws ; he declares what 
we may do, and what we may not do. 

(3) He defends us from those beings and things that 
might injure or destroy us ; from Satan, from wicked 
men, from sin, &c. 

(4) He restrains Ms own enemies, which are also our 
enemies ; he does not permit them to carry out fully 
their wicked plans ; he hinders or overcomes them. 

(5) He conquers those enemies, both his and ours. 

Therefore (28) How doth Christ execute the of- 
fice of a kino ? 

Christ executeth the office of a king, in subduing 
us to himself, in ruling and defending us, and in 
restraining and conquering all his and our enemies. 



OF CHRIST S STATE OF HUMILIATION. 

1. What do you mean by the humiliation of Christ ? 
I understand by it, his putting himself in a lower 

condition than that which he had always had in heaven. 

2. In what did this lower condition consist ? 

It consisted (1) in his being born; in his becoming the 
babe of Bethlehem. 



32 of Christ's state of humiliation. 

(2) In Lis being torn in a low condition ; in a state 
of poverty, a poor virgin being his mother, a stable his 
birthplace, and a manger his cradle. 

3. What was the next thing showing that Christ 
humbled himself ? 

He was (3) made under the law ; he set himself to 
obey the law in our place, as a Covenant of Works, to 
obey all its commands, and to suffer pains to which the 
transgressor was exposed. 

4. How did this conduct humble Christ? 

It will be seen, when we remember that Christ was 
himself the lawgiver and judge of man, was, as God, 
above the law, was under no obligation to obey it, but 
became subject to his own law, that he might deliver 
his people from the punishment which threatened them 
for transgressing it, and that he might so fulfill its com- 
mands in their place, that they might, for his sake, be 
treated as righteous. 

5. How does it further appear that Christ humbled 
himself when he became subject to the law? 

It appears from his thus (4) undergoing, or suffering, 
the miseries of this life, such as hunger, thirst, weari- 
ness, grief, &c. 

Still more it appears (5) in giving himself up to the 
wrath of God, the displeasure of God, because he stood 
in our place as sinners, and was made to feel, as di- 
rected against himself, that divine displeasure which 
was due to us. 

6. Did Christ humble himself in any other respects? 
He submitted (6) to the degrading and painful, the 

cursed death of the cross, which was a terrible instru- 
ment of torture, and usually employed only for the 
greatest criminals. 



OF CHRIST'S STATE OF EXALTATION. 33 

7. What was tlie last step of humiliation ? 

It consisted (7) in his deing ouried and continuing 
under the power of death for a time ; in his consenting 
to remain dead, and to be held as prisoner in the grave 
until the third day after his crucifixion. 

Therefore (27) Wherein did Christ's humiliation 
consist ? 

Christ's humiliation consisted in his being born, 
and that in a low condition ; made under the law, 
undergoing the miseries of this life, the wrath of 
God, and the cursed death of the cross ; in being 
buried, and continuing under the power of death 
for a time. 



OF CHRIST S STATE OF EXALTATION. 

1. Having looked at Christ when he reached his low- 
est place, that is, in the grave, what is the first step in 
his exaltation ? 

The first step was his rising again from the dead on 
the third day to the condition of a living person. 

2. What was the second step ? 

It was his ascending up into heaven with his human 
nature. 

3. What was the third step ? 

It was his sitting at the right hand of God the 
Father, 

4. What does this expression mean ? 

As God the Father has no body, or bodily parts, it 
simply means that Christ was raised to the highest 
honor, power, and authority in heaven. 



34 AGENT BY WHOM REDEMPTION IS APPLIED. 

5. Is there not another step of exaltation yet to be 
taken by the Redeemer ? 

He will come to judge the world at the last day ; to 
decide upon the character and everlasting state of each 
person in the human family ; to sentence each one to 
everlasting life or everlasting death. 

Therefore (28) Wherein consisteth Christ's exal- 
tation ? 

Christ's exaltation consisteth in his rising again 
from the dead on the third day, in ascending up 
into heaven, in sitting at the right hand of God the 
Father, and in coming to judge the world at the 
last day. 

the agent by whom redemption is applied. 

1. What has Christ purchased for us? 

Christ has purchased redemption, which means de- 
liverance, by paying a price. 

2. Deliverance from what 1 

From all evil, from sin and punishment ; and besides 
this, redemption includes the bestowing of all good, es- 
pecially the blessings of the life eternal. 

3. How do we come to partake of, or possess, this 
redemption ? 

We are made partakers of it by the Holy Spirit He 
makes application of it, or applies it to us. He effect- 
ually, that is, really, brings us into such a state of 
mind and heart that we are benefited, or saved, by what 
Christ has done for us. 

4. Why is the Spirit of God called the Holy Spirit? 
Because he is pure and good in his own nature, and 



METHOD OF APPLYING REDEMPTION. 35 

because the object of his exertions in the hearts of men 
is to make them pure and good also. 

5. Why is he called His (Christ's) Holy Spirit? 

Because, although he is also the Spirit of the Father, 
yet in applying redemption he is more directly sent by 
Christ. 

Therefore (29) How are we made partakers of the 

REDEMPTION PURCHASED BY CHRIST 7 

We are made partakers of the redemption pur- 
chased by Christ, by the effectual application of it 
to us by his Holy Spirit. 



THE METHOD OF APPLYING REDEMPTION. 

1. How does the Spirit apply redemption to us ? 

He applies redemption by working faith in us; by 
causing us to believe and trust in what Christ, as cur 
redeemer, has done. 

2. What is the effect of the faith which the Spirit 
produces in us 1 

It unites us to Christ ; it so connects us with him 
that his doings and sufferings, in our place, are regard- 
ed as our doings and sufferings. 

3. When does this union to Christ take place ? 
It takes place in our effectual calling. 

Therefore (30) How doth the Spirit apply, to us 

THE REDEMPTION PURCHASED BY CHRIST ? 

The Spirit applieth to us the redemption pur- 
chased by Christ, by working faith in us, and there- 
by uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling. 



36 APPLICATION OF REDEMPTION. 

THE APPLICATION OF REDEMPTION IN EFFECTUAL CALL- 
ING. 

1. Whose work is effectual calling? 

It is the work of GooVs Spirit; he performs it. 

2. "What other calling is there 1 

That which is merely outward ; invitations read or 

heard only from the "Word of God, but not accepted or 

acted upon by the sinner. 

8. In effectual calling what does the Spirit do % 

He first convinces us of sin ; makes us feel that we 

are sinners, that we have transgressed God's law, and 

wherein we have transgressed it. 

4. What else does he convince us of % 

He (2) convinces us of our misery ; of our having 
brought ourselves into a wretched state by our sins ; 
of our being exposed to the punishment of everlasting 
death, and of our deserving it. 

5. What light does the Spirit convey to our minds ? 
He enlightens our minds in the knowledge of Christ ; 

he holds Christ up to our view in his true character, in 
his offices of prophet, priest, and king, in his invita- 
tions and commands, in his ability and willingness to 
save. 

6. Does the Spirit have any thing to do with our 
to ills t 

He renews our wills ; he causes us to will, or choose 
rightly in view of sin and the misery resulting from it, 
and of Christ as our redeemer from both. 

7. What is the result of the aforesaid acts of the 
Spirit ? 

He doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus 
Christ ; to give him and his promises such regard, and 
confidence, and honor, as our salvation requires. 



BENEFITS OF REDEMPTION IN THIS LIFE. 37 

8. Under what form or circumstance is Christ thus 
embraced f 

He is embraced, or accepted, as freely offered in the 
Gospel; as offered without any compensation or pay 
on our part ; offered without money and without price. 

He has himself paid for the unspeakably valuable 
blessings which he offers to us, but they are offered to 
us id ithout price. He requires of us no works, no sacri- 
fices, in order to entitle us to be saved by him, or to 
recommend us to him. "We are, and always must be, 
entirely unto or thy of Christ's favor and of the redemp- 
tion he has purchased for us. 

What is meant by the Gospel? 

It means the good news or good history which the 
New Testament bears to us concerning Christ, as an 
almighty and willing Saviour. It embraces all the New 
Testament, and some parts of the Old. 

Therefore (31) What is effectual calling? 

Effectual calling is the work of God's Spirit, 
whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, en- 
lightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, 
and renewing our wills, he doth persuade and ena- 
ble us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us 
in the Gospel. 



BENEFITS OF REDEMPTION IN THIS LIFE. 

1. Of what advantage is it to be called in the way 
just described? 

It is of great advantage to us even in this life ; for 
thus we obtain justification, adoption, and sanctification. 
4 



38 OF JUSTIFICATION. 

2. Do we obtain anything else? 
"We obtain several benefits, or blessings, which in this 
life do, either accompany or flow from them. 

Therefore (32) What benefits do they that are 

EFFECTUALLY CALLED PAETAKE OF IN THIS LIFE ? 

They that are effectually called do in this life 
partake of justification, adoption, and sanctification, 
and the several benefits which in this life do either 
accompany or flow from them. 



OF JUSTIFICATION. 

1. What is meant by the words free grace ? 
They mean undeserved favor or kindness. 
.2. What is meant by the expression Goal pardoneth 
all our sins? 

It means, God has decided not to punish us for our sins. 

3. What is meant when it is said that he accepts us 
■m righteous in his sight f 

It means that he treats us as kindly and lovingly as 
if we had always obeyed his laws. 

4. On what account does God thus pardon all our 
sins and accept us as if we were righteous persons ? 

Ee does it only on account of the righteousness of 
'Christ. 

5. In what did the righteousness of Christ consist ? 
It consisted in his obeying the commands of the law 

in our place, and in suffering the penalty, or what is 
<equal to it. 

6. How do we come to be benefited by the righteous- 
ness of Christ ? 

It is imputed to us ; it is reckoned as our righteous- 



OF ADOPTION. 39 

aess, though it is not in fact ours. That is, we are 
treated as if we had been in the place of Christ in obey- 
ing the law and suffering the penalty ; or as if we had 
never disobeyed the law or deserved the punishment 
it threatens. 

7. But what must we do that the righteousness of- 
Christ may be thus imputed or reckoned to us ? 

We must receive this blessing oy faith ; that is, we 
must trust in the righteousness of Christ as the only 
means of our pardon and acceptance. 

Can you tell me, then, (33) What is justification ? 

Justification is an act of God's free grace, where- 
' in he pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as 
righteous in his sight only for the righteousness of 
Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone. 



of adoption. 

1. What is the next act of God's free grace or unde- 
served kindness. 

It is adoption. 

2. What does adoption mean ? 

It means to take a poor stranger into one's family 
and treat him as a child belonging to the family, as a 
son or daughter. 

3. As spoken of in the Bible, what does the act of 
adoption do for us ? 

By it we are received into the number of Gods chil- 



4. What, as such, are we entitled to ? 
We have a right to all the privileges, or favors, of the 
sons of God ; we are treated as the good children of God. 



40 OF SANCTIFICATION. 

Therefore (34) What is adoption ? 

Adoption is an act of God's free grace, whereby 
we are received into the number, and have a right 
to all the privileges, of the sons of God. 



OF SANCTIFICATI03ST. 

1. Is sanctification a wor\ or an act of GooVsfree grace? 
It is a work of God's free grace ; it is not done in a 

moment, but continues during life and, like the other 
things just examined, shows the undeserved kindness 
of God. 

2. What change does this work produce in us ? 

By it we are renewed in the whole man ; we are en- 
tirely changed for the better, in all the actings of our 
souls and bodies, in our thoughts, and feelings, and be- 
havior. 

3. After whose image does this change take place ? 
After the image of God ; that is, after his likeness, 

after his holiness and goodness. 

4. What are we thus enabled to do ? 

We are enabled more and more to die unto sin ; that 
is, we become more and more disinclined and averse to 
sin. 

5. What else are we enabled to do, as the work of 
sanctification goes on ? 

We are enabled more and more to live unto righteous- 
ness ; that is, we more readily and constantly do that 
which is right. 

Therefore (35) What is sanctification ? 
Sanctification is the work of God's free grace 
whereby we are renewed in the whole man after 



BENEFITS FLOWING FROM JUSTIFICATION, &C. 41 

the image of God, and are enabled more and more 
to die unto sin and live unto righteousness. 



BENEFITS FLOWING FROM JUSTIFICATION, ADOPTION, 
AND SANCTIFICATION. 

1. What is the first benefit, or good, that is said to 
come from justification, adoption, and sanctification, in 
this life ? 

It is the assurance of GooVs love ; or the being made 
sure that he loves us as his own children, who have 
begun to be holy, have begun to resemble him in our 
character, and to do his will. 

2. What is the next benefit arising from our being 
justified, adopted, and sanctified ? 

It is peace of conscience ; peace of mind ; the calm 
which arises from the idea of being in friendship with 
God, and of rendering obedience to him, or of doing 
what is right, what is pleasing to God. 

3. What is the next blessing ? 

It is joy in the Holy Ghost ; that holy and happy 
state of mind which is produced by the Holy Spirit. 
It takes place when we think of religious things and of 
our religious interests and hopes. 

4. What other benefit is to be considered ? 
The increase of grace. 

5. What does this mean ? 

It means an increase, or growth, in our love to God 
and to men. It means that we become more obedient 
to God's laws, and that we obey them with more and 
more pleasure. 

6. What other benefit is to be mentioned ? 

It is perseverance in grace ; or the continuance 
4* 



42 BENEFITS OF REDEMPTION AT DEATH. 

through life in a course of piety and virtue ; such a 
course as properly belongs to a Christian. 

Therefore (36) What aee the benefits which in 

THIS LIFE DO ACCOMPANY OR FLOW FROM JUSTIFICATION, 
ADOPTION, AND SANCTIFICATION ? 

The benefits which, in this life, do accompany or 
flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, 
are assurances of God's love, peace of conscience, 
joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and per- 
severance therein to the end. 



BENEFITS OF REDEMPTION AT DEATH. 

1. What are Christians called? 

They are called believers, because they believe or 
trust in Christ as alone their Saviour. 

2. "What happy change takes place in the souls of be- 
lievers at death ? 

Their sods are made perfect in holiness; they have 
no more wrong feelings, or desires, but all are as they 
should be, and such as to honor God and his holy law. 

3. Where do the souls of believers go at death ? 
They do immediately pass into glory ; they are taken 

at once to heaven, where they receive all the honor 
and happiness they could desire. 

4. What becomes of their bodies ? 

Their bodies do rest in their graves, or remain in the 
ground, until the resurrection, the time when God de- 
signs to raise them to life again. 

5. During their rest in the ground are those bodies 
united to any thing ? 

They are united to Christ. They are said to "sleep 



BENEFITS OF REDEMPTION. 43 

in Jesus,"»or to remain in him; that is, united to him, 
even in the grave. He regards their bodies as though 
connected with himself, and thus will not allow them 
to perish for ever, but he will raise them to life again, 
to be always with him in glory. 

Therefore (37) What benefits do believers re- 
ceive from Christ at death ? 

The souls of believers are at their death made 
perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into 
glory, and their bodies, being still united to Christ, 
do rest in their graves till the resurrection. 



BENEFITS OF REDEMPTION AT THE RESURRECTION. 

1. What shall become of the bodies of believers at 
the resurrection t 

They shall oe raised up in glory ; si) all be raised to 
life, and in a far more excellent form and condition 
than in this life. 

2. What blessing shall be granted to believers in the 
day of judgment ? 

They shall oe openly acknowledged and acquitted at 
the day of judgment ; that is, shall be publicly owned 
as Christ's followers and friends, and declared to be 
for ever free from punishment on account of past sins. 

3. Will believers receive any further mark of God's 
favor ? 

They shall be made perfectly blessed in the full en- 
joying of God to all eternity ; that is, they shall be al- 
together happy in the friendship and presence of God, 
not for a few years only, but for ever. 



44 NATURE OF MAN'S DUTY IN GENERAL. 

Therefore (38) What benefits do beltevers re- 
ceive FROM CHKIST AT THE RESURRECTION ? 

At the resurrection believers being raised up in 
glory, shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted 
in the day of judgment, and made perfectly blessed 
in the full enjoying of God to all eternity. 



PART SECOND. 

THE DUTY WHICH GOD REQUIRES OF MAN. 

NATURE OF MAN'S DUTY IN GENERAL. 

1. "What does God require of man? 

He requires duty, or that which man owes to Him 
as being his creature, and his subject. 

2. Wherein has God set forth man's duty ? 

In his revealed will, or in the sacred Scriptures, which 
declare what it is God's wish and command that we 
should do and what we should refrain from doing. 

3. What does God require of man, in regard to his 
revealed will ? 

He requires obedience to it, and not simply the gain- 
ing a knowledge of it. He teaches us in the Scriptures 
what we are to do and to be, and expects us to act ac- 
cordingly. 

Therefore (39) What is the duty which God ee- 

QUIEES OF MAN ? 

The duty which God requires of man is obe- 
dience to his revealed will. 



SUM OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. 45 
OF THE MORAL LAW. 

1. Does God allow "us to feel and act as we please ? 
No : he has given a rule to direct us. 

2. What is that rule called which lie at first revealed 
or made known for obedience ? 

It is called the moral law ; which means the rule of 
manners, or of duty. 

Therefore (40) What did God ftest reveal to man 

FOR THE RULE OF HIS OBEDIENCE? 

The rule which God at first revealed to man 
for his obedience was the moral law. 



SUMMARY OF THE MORAL LAW. 

1. Is there any part of the Scriptures where our duty 
is expressed in few words ? 

Our duty, or the moral law, is expressed in few 
words in the Ten Commandments, and is therefore said 
to be summarily comprehended in them. 

Therefore (41) Wherein is the moral law sum- 
marily COMPREHENDED ? 

The moral law is summarily comprehended in 
the Ten Commandments. 



THE SUM OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. 

1. What one thing do the Ten Commandments re- 
quire in substance ? 

The sum, or substance, of what they require is love. 

2. Whom do they require us to love ? 
God, our neighbor, and ourselves. 



46 SUM OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. 

3. How much do they require us to love God ? 
They require us to love God with all our powers, 

with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, 
and with all our mind. We are to think more of God 
than of all other beings, and cheerfully to do all that he 
demands of us. 

4. How much may and should we love our neighbor ? 
We should love our neighbor as ourselves ; look upon 

him with the same kind of interest, and promote his 
welfare. 

5. Who is our neighbor ? 

Any and every human being is our neighbor ; es- 
pecially those whom we may reach by our kindness. 

6. How much may we love ourselves f 

Far less than we love God, for we are infinitely less 
worthy of love and attention than he. 

7. How shall we know when we love God more than 
we love ourselves ? 

When we care more and try more to do his will than 
our own, to please him more than ourselves. We 
should ask him daily, " Lord what wilt thou have me 
to do?" 

8. What should we ask concerning our fellow-men ? 
We should inquire of ourselves, how can I be useful 

to my fellow-men to-day ? what do they need, and how 
can I serve them, and make them happier than they are ? 

9. When do we love our neighbor as ourselves ? 
When we do to others as we think they ought to do 

to us, if we were placed as they are. 

Therefore (42) What is the sum or the Ten Com- 
mandments ? 

The sum of the Ten Commandments is to love 



PREFACE TO THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. 47 

the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our 
soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind ; 
and our neighbor as ourselves. 



PREFACE TO THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. 

1. What is that part called which goes before the 
Ten Commandments ? 

It is called the 'preface. 

2. "Where had the Israelites lived before the Ten 
Commandments were given to them? 

In the land of Egypt. 

3. What is that land called in the preface ? 

It is called the house of bondage ; because, while in 
that land, the Israelites were slaves to the Egyptians. 

Therefore (43) What is the preface to the Ten 
Commandments ? 

The preface to the Ten Commandments is in 
these words, lam the Lord thy God, tvhich have 
brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the 
house of bondage. 



1. What is said of God in this preface ? 

He is said to be the Lord, and our God, and Re- 
deemer. 

2. What is meant by these expressions ? 

They teach us that God is the highest and greatest 
Being, that he has been to us the kindest Being, and 
ever will be, and that he has shown his love by sending 
his Son to redeem or deliver us from sin and from ever- 
lasting pain. 



48 THE FIRST COMMANDMENT. 

3. Since God is so great and good a Being, what is 
due from us to him ? 

It is plain that we are "bound to keep all his command- 
ments. 

Therefore (44) What doth the feeface to the Ten 
Commandments teaoh us ? 

The preface to the Ten Commandments teacheth 
us that because God is the Lord, and our God and 
Kedeemer, therefore we are bound to keep all his 
commandments. 



the first commandment. 

1. "What is it to have a god f 

It is to place our love and to depend on some being 
or thing more strongly than on any other being or 
thing. 

2. Does God care any thing about what we love, or 
depend upon ? 

Yes : he is very particular and exact about this mat- 
ter, as we learn from the first commandment. 

Therefore (45) What is the first commandment ? 

The first commandment is, Thou shalt have no 
other gods before me. 



1. Does God care whether we "know or become ac- 
quainted with him ; whether we acknowledge or admit 
that he is the only true God t 

He requires us thus to know and acknowledge him 
to be the only true, the only real and living God. 



THE FIRST COMMANDMENT. 49 

2. Does lie require us to do any thing more ? 
- He requires us to think of him, and to consider him 
as our God, and to worship and glorify (or honor) him 
accordingly ; that is, as our God and the only true 
God. 

Therefore (46) What is esquired in the first com- 
mandment ? 

The first commandment requireth us to honor 
and acknowledge God to be the only true God, and 
our God ; and to worship and glorify him accord- 
ingly. 



1. What is meant by the denying of God f 

It meaus to deny that there is a God ; or it is to think 
or say that there is no God. 

2. Are we at liberty not to worship and glorify the 
true God as our God ? 

God will be offended greatly with us if we do not 
worship and honor him as our God, as the Being whom 
we most love and respect. 

3. What other thing will greatly offend him ? 

The giving of that worship and glory (or honor) to 
any other being, which is due to him alone, or which he 
alone is worthy of. 

Therefore (47) What is forbidden in the fiest 
commandment ? 

The first commandment forbiddeth the denying 
or not worshiping and glorifying the true God as 
our God, and the giving of that worship and glory 
to any other which is due to him alone. 
5 



50 THE SECOND COMMANDMENT. 

1. If we honor and love any other than the true 
God, will he know the fact ? 

He will ; for he seeth all things that are done, and 
taketh notice of them, looks at them closely, and es- 
pecially if they ought not to be done. 

2. What is that which greatly displeases him ? 

He is much displeased with the sin of having any 
other God. 

3. What sin is that ? 

The sin of loving and honoring any being besides 
himself, as the best or most worthy, and the best suited 
to make us happy. 

Therefore (48) What aee we specially taught by 
the words [before me] in the fiest commandment ? 

These words [before me] in the first command- 
ment teach us, that God, who seeth all things, 
taketh notice of, and is much displeased with the 
sin of having any other God. 



the second commandment. 

1. What is a graven image ? 

It is something cut out of wood, or stone, or metal, 
in the form or likeness of some being; and made for 
the purpose of being worshiped and honored as sacred 
or divine. 

2. How is- worship to such an image usually ex- 
pressed ? * 

By the act of lowing down before it, and thus show- 
ing that we consider it better and higher than our- 
selves. 



THE SECOND COMMANDMENT. 51 

3. What is meant when it is said that God is jeal- 
ous? 

It means that he can not bear that any being or thing 
should have so much love and service as ought to be 
given to him. 

4. How has he shown his displeasure at those who 
love other things more than himself? 

lie has shown it by making the children of such per- 
sons suffer on their account. 

5. What is this act of God called ? 

It is called the visiting the iniquity of the fathers 
upon the children. 

6. How far is this carried ? 

Unto the third and fourth generation ; that is, to the 
grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

7. What is the character of those whose iniquity is 
thus punished ? 

They are those who hate God. 

8. How does God treat those who love him ? 

He shows mercy unto thousands of them that love him, 
and keep his commandments. 

Therefore (49) What is the second commandment? 

The second commandment is, Thou shalt not 
make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness 
of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in 
the earth beneath, or that is in the water under t*he 
earth. Thou shalt not bow down to them, nor 
serve them ; for I, the Lord thy God, am a jealous 
God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the 
children, unto the third and fourth generation of 
them that hate me ; and showing mercy unto thou- 



52 THE SECOND COMMANDMENT. 

sands of them that love me and keep my com 
niandments. 



1. What has God appointed, or ordered, in his word? 
In his word (the Scriptures) God has appointed, or 

required us to observe religious worship and ordinances. 

2. What is meant by religious ordinances? 

They are certain means or ways by which God is 
honored ; such as prayers, singing God's praises, bap- 
tism, the Lord's Supper, the Sabbath. 

3. Concerning this religious worship and ordinances, 
what does he require ? 

He commands the receiving, observing, and keeping 
them pure and entire. That is, he commands them to 
be attended to as he first made them known ; without 
our adding to, or taking from them, or altering their 
form and intention. 

Therefore (50) What is required in the second 

COMMANDMENT ? 

The second commandment requireth the receiv- 
ing, observing, and keeping pure and entire, all 
such religious worship and ordinances as God hath 
appointed in his word. 



1. What wrong way is there of worshiping God ? 
By means of images, carved, or painted, likenesses 
of any thing in nature, or of God himself. ■ 

Therefore (51) What is forbidden in the second 

COMMANDMENT ? 

The second commandment forbiddeth the wor- 



THE THIRD COMMANDMENT. 53 

shiping of God by images, or any other way not 
appointed by his word. 



1. "What is meant by the words, God's sovereignty 
over us ? 

They mean the fact that God is the Lord, the highest 
Being, and altogether above us, and has the best right 
to command us as to what we are to do and to be. 

2. What do we mean when we speak of God's pro- 
priety in us f 

We mean that he has a right to dispose of us as he 
pleases ; that we are his property, being his creatures ; 
and, moreover, that he has bought us with the blood 
of his Son as our Eedeemer. 

3. Has God a strong desire to be worshiped in those 
very ways which he has marked out in the Bible ? 

He Las great zeal, a warm concern, in reference to 
his own worship. 

Therefore (52) What are the reasons annexed (or 
joined) to the second coaimandment ? 

The reasons annexed to the second command- 
ment are, God's sovereignty over us, his propriety 
in us, and the zeal he hath to his own worship. 



the third commandment. 
1. What is meant by the name of the Lord? 
Any word, or expression, by which he has taught us 
to call him ; or which he applies to himself in the 
Bible. 

5* 



54 THE THIRD COMMANDMENT. 

2. What is it to take the name of God in vain f 

It is to think or speak of any of his names in an un- 
worthy, irreligious manner. 

8. What will he do to the person who thus treats his 
name ? 

He will not hold him guiltless ; he will hold him lia- 
ble to be punished ; he will severely punish him. 

Therefore (53) What is the third commandment ? 

The third commandment is, Thou shalt not take 
the name of the Lord thy God in vain ; for the 
Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his 
name in vain. 



1. What sort of use may we make of God's names? 
None but a holy and reverent use; we are to think 

of them as sacred, and worthy of the highest respect; 
we are not to be careless and familiar with them, as 
with the names of creatures. 

2. Is there any thing relating to God, beside his 
names, which we are bound to use in a serious and 
most respectful manner ? 

We are so to use his titles ; his titles, for instance, as 
" The God of heaven," " The Holy One of Israel," &o. 

3. And what else, relating to. God, must we revere ? 
His attributes, the qualities that belong to him ; his 

goodness, justice, truth, holiness, &c. 

4. And is there not something else, pertaining to 
God, which is to be treated with great respect and 
reverence ? 

Yes : his ordinances (the Sabbath, &c), his word (the 



THE THIRD COMMANDMENT. 55 

Bible), and works (those of creation, providence, and 
redemption). 

Therefore (54) What is required in the third com- 
mandment ? 

The third commandment requireth the holy and 
reverent use of God's names, titles, attributes, or- 
dinances, and works. 



1. What does God forbid in this commandment ? 
He forbids the profaning of any thing by which he 

makes himself known ; he forbids it to be used in a 
gross, bold, thoughtless, dishonorable manner. 

2. What may such profaning of what relates to God 
be called ? 

It may be called the abusing of it ; that is, it is the 
opposite of a proper and becoming use of what relates 
to God. 

Therefore (55) What is forbidden in the third 

COMMANDMENT ? 

The third commandment forbiddeth all profan- 
ing or abusing of any thing whereby God maketh 
himself known. 



1. Will those who break the third commandment es- 
cape punishment ? 

They may escape punishment from men, yet God will 
not suffer them to go unpunished ; they must expect 
Ms righteous judgment ; that is, a punishment according 
to his just sentence or decision against them. 



56 THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT. 

Therefore (58) What is the eeason annexed to the 

THIRD COMMANDMENT ? 

The reason annexed to the third commandment 
is, that however the breakers of this command- 
ment may escape punishment from men, yet the 
Lord our God will not suffer them to escape his 
righteous judgment. 



THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT. 

1. What is the best day of the week? 
The Sabbath-day. 

2. Why is it the best ? 

Because it is to be kept holy, or spent in a religious 
manner. 

3. Is it lawful to work on that day ? 

It is not lawful ; it was designed for no such pur- 
pose. 

4. How many days of the week are given us in which 
our worldly business is to be done ? 

Six days are allowed us for that. 

5. What did God do in six days, a long time since ? 
In six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, 

and all that in them is. 

6. After the six days of work, what did God do ? 
On the seventh day he rested ; that is, he did not 

work, he refrained from creating any more things at 
that time. 

7. Did the Lord, on this account, require any differ- 
ence to be made between the Sabbath-day and the 
other days of the week ? 

He Messed the Sabbath-day and hallowed it ; he pro- 



THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT. 57 

nounced it a day which he would make most useful to 
man, and a day in which God should especially be wor- 
shiped. 

Therefore (57) Which is the fourth command- 
ment? 

The fourth commandment is, Eemember the 
Sabbath-day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou 
labor, and do all thy work ; but the seventh day is • 
the Sabbath of the Lord thy God : in it thou shalt 
not do any work ; thou, nor thy son, nor thy 
daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, 
nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy 
gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and 
earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested 
the seventh day, wherefore the Lord blessed the 
Sabbath-day, and hallowed it. 



1. Has God directed us to keep holy, or to set apart, 
any particular time for religious duties ? 

He has directed, in the Scriptures, set, or stated and 
regular times to be used in this way. 

2. Has he required one whole day in every seven days ? 
He has expressly, or plainly, so required. 

Therefore (58) What is required in the fourth 

OOMMANDMENT ? 

The fourth commandment requireth the keeping 
holy to God such set times as he hath appointed in 
his Word, expressly one whole day in seven, to be 
a holy Sabbath to himself. 



58 SANCTIFICATION OF THE SABBATH. 

CHANGE OF THE SABBATH. 

1. For how long a time was the seventh day of the 
week (our Saturday) to be observed as the weekly Sab- 
bath, or day of holy rest ? 

From the beginning of the world to the resurrection 
of Christ, God appointed or required the seventh day 
to be spent in a holy and religious manner. 

2. After Christ rose from the dead, what other day 
became sacred in place of the seventh ? 

The first day of the week then became the religious 
day, and ever since has been, and is to continue to the 
end of the world, and is the Christian Sabbath, the day 
to be observed by all Christians, and in honor of Christ 
their only Saviour. 

Therefore (59) Which day of the seven hath God 

APPOINTED TO BE THE WEEKLY SABBATH ? 

From the beginning of the world to the resur- 
rection of Christ, God appointed the seventh day 
of the week to be the weekly Sabbath, and the first 
day of the week ever since, to continue to the end 
of the world ; which is the Christian Sabbath. 



THE SANCTIFICATION OF THE SABBATH. 

1. "What is the sanctifying of the Sabbath ? 

It is to use or spend it in a holy, or religious man- 
ner. 

2. How is this done 1 

By laying aside on that day all common business and 
all sj^orts and pleasures, even such as are proper on 
other days. 



SANCTIFICATION OF THE SABBATH. 59 

3. Is it enough simply to avoid these things on the 
Sabbath ? 

By no means : we are bound also to attend to re- 
ligious duties, and to spend the ichole time in worship- 
ing God publicly and privately (at church or at home) ; 
except so much as may be required for works that can 
not be done at another time, and works needful to relieve 
the sick, the miserable, and the helpless. 

Therefore (60) How is the Sabbath to be sancti- 
fied? 

The Sabbath is to be sanctified by a holy resting 
all that day, even from such worldly employments 
and recreations as are lawful on other days ; and 
spending the whole time in the public and private 
exercises of God's worship, except so much as is to 
be taken up in the works of necessity and mercy. 



1. As to the duties of the Sabbath, what does God 
forbid ? 

God forbids the omission, that is, the not doing of the 
duties required ; and he also forbids their careless per- 
formance, that is, the doing of them in a thoughtless 
and unsuitable manner. 

2. What else does God forbid, in relation to the Sab- 
bath ? 

He forbids the profaning the day by idleness, and the 
doing of that which is in itself sinful. 

3. Does lie forbid any thing else about this matter ? 
God forbids unnecessary thoughts, icords, or icorks, 

about our worldly employments or recreations. 



60 SANCTIFICATION OF THE SABBATH. 

4. What does this mean ? 

He forbids us to think, speak, or act in a worldly 
manner, on the Sabbath, except so far as it can not be 
avoided. 

On the whole then, (61) "What is foebidden in the 

FOTTETH COMMANDMENT 1 ? 

The fourth commandment forbiddeth the omis- 
sion or careless performance of the duties required, 
and the profaning the day by idleness, or doing that 
which is in itself sinful, or by unnecessary thoughts, 
words, or works, about our worldly employments 
and recreations. 



1. What is the first reason stated for keeping the 
Sabbath in a religious manner? 

God's allowing us six days of the weeJc for our em- 
ployments, or business. 

2. What is the second reason? 

Mis challenging a special propriety in the seventh ; 
that is, his claiming that that day especially belongs to 
him, and is to be spent in honor of him. 

3. What is the third reason for keeping the Sabbath 
as a day of sacred rest ? 

God's own example ; he refrained on that day from 
the work of creating, which he had been performing 
on the other six days of the week. 

4. What is the fourth reason f 

His Messing the seventh day ; his declaring it to be a 
day for man's religious welfare. 



THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT. 61 

Hence (62) What are the keasoxs annexed to the 

FOTJETH COMMANDMENT ? 

The reasons annexed to the fourth commandment 
are, God's allowing us six days of the week for our 
own employments ; his challenging a special pro- 
priety in the seventh ; his own example ; and his 
blessing the seventh day. 



THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT 

1. Whom does God require us to honor ? 
He says, honor thy father and thy mother. 

2. How is this to be done ? 

We must think highly of them, do what they wish 
us to do, and support them, if we can, should they be 
poor. 

3. Is there any reward promised for such conduct to- 
ward our parents ? 

To the command he adds, That thy days may te 
long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. 

4. What land is here spoken of ? 

The land of Canaan, or Judea, toward which the 
Israelites were journeying when the law was given at 
Sinai. 

Therefore (63) Which is the fifth commandment ? 

The fifth commandment is, Honor thy father and 
thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the 
land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. 



1. Is honor to be shown to any beside our parents? 

Yes : to other superiors, to inferiors, and to equals. 

6 



62 THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT. 

2. Who are intended by superiors ? 

Those who are above us, or hold a more important 
place ; such as our parents, rulers, masters, teachers, 
&c. 

3. "Who are meant by inferiors ? 

By such are intended children, subjects, apprentices, 
pupils, &c. 

4. And who are meant by equals ? 

Those that are of the same rank and standing with 
ourselves ; our brothers, sisters, school-mates, and 
neighbors of the same classes. 

5. What are we to do with all such ? 

We are to preserve the honor due to such, and per- 
form the duties which we owe to them. 

Therefore (64) What is keqdiPwEd in the fifth com- 
mandment ? 

The fifth commandment requireth the preserving 
the honor and performing the duties belonging to 
every one in their several places and relations, as 
superiors, inferiors, or equals. 



1. Is it proper to neglect the honor and duty which 
we owe other persons ? 

God forbids the neglecting of the honor due to them. 
That is, he forbids the not giving to them the respect 
and service which they ought to receive. 

2. Are we allowed to do any thing against the honor 
and duty belonging to them? 

God forbids the doing any thing against the honor, 
or respect, or duty, which belongs to persons in dif- 
ferent situations in life. 



THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT. 63 

Therefore (65) What is fokbidden in the fifth 

COMMANDMENT ? 

The fifth commandment forbiddeth the neglecting 
of, or doing any thing against the honor and duty 
which belongeth to every one, in their several 
places, and relations. 



1. Is there any particular reason annexed, or joined 
to the fifth commandment, to induce us to keep it ? 

There is a promise of long life and prosperity to all 
such as keep this commandment. 

2. "What is meant by a life of prosperity ? 

A happy life ; one in which God shows to us special 
kindness. 

3. Do all who keep the fifth commandment live a 
long life, and do they have an uncommon share of 
earthly blessings ? 

They have as long and as prosperous a life as shall be 
for the glory, or honor, of God, and for their own good. 
That is, God causes them to live in this world as long, 
and to have as many good things, as he thinks best both 
for himself and for them, and that is all that we should 
desire. 

Therefore (66) What is the eeason annexed to 

THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT? 

The reason annexed to the fifth commandment, is 
a promise of long life and prosperity (as far as it 
shall serve for God's glory and their own good) to 
all such as keep this commandment. 



64 THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT. 

THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT. 

(67) Which is the sixth commandment ? 

The sixth commandment is, Thou shalt not kill. 

1. To whom does this commandment relate ? 
To human beings : not to the lower animals. 

2. Are we only bound not to destroy human life ? 
We are required to preserve our own life and the life 

of others. 

3. How are we to do this? 

Only by such endeavors, or acts, as the law of God 
allows. 

Therefore (68) What is kequieed in the sixth com- 
mandment ? 

The sixth commandment requireth all lawful en- 
deavors to preserve our own life, and the life of 
others. 



1. Is the life of our neighbor, or fellow-man, to be 
cared for as well as our own ? 

It is to be looked upon as of great value ; and so is 
our own life to be regarded. 

2. Have we any right to take away our own life ? 
We have no right to take away our own life ; God 

reserves that right to himself* 

3. Does God forbid us to take the life of our neigh- 
bor? 

He forbids the talcing away of the life of our neigh- 
bor unjustly ; th^t is, without good and sufficient reason. 

4. May it ever justly be taken away ? 

It may justly be taken away, as a punishment for 



THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT. 65 

certain great crimes, or in defending our own lives 
when we are unjustly attacked. 

5. By whoin is life to be taken away for crime ? 
Only by the proper officers of justice, appointed by 

government ; and according to the forms required by 
law. 

6. Does God forbid the doing of what tends to de- 
stroy or shorten life ? 

God forbids whatsoever tendeth thereunto. 

Therefore (69) What is foebidden in the sixth 

COMMANDMENT ? 

The sixth commandment forbiddeth the taking 
away of our own life, or the life of our neighbor 
unjustly, or whatsoever tendeth thereunto. 



THE SEVENTH C0MMANDM.ENT. 

(70) "Which is the seventh commandment ? 
The seventh commandment is, Thou shalt not 
commit adultery. 

1. What are we required to preserve, or keep ? 

We are required to preserve our own and our neigh- 
bor's chastity, or modesty and purity. 

2. In what particulars is chastity to be preserved ? 
We are required to be chaste, or modest, in heart, 

speech, and oehavior ; that is, in our thoughts and de- 
sires ; in our words ; and in our looks and other actions. 

Therefore (71) What is eequibed in the seventh 

COMMANDMENT ? 

The seventh commandment requireth the preser- 



66 THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT. 

vation of our own and our neighbor's chastity, in 
heart, speech, and behavior. 



1. "What vicious thoughts, words, and actions are for- 
bidden ? 

Those which are unchaste, immodest, and corrupt- 
ing. 

Therefore (72) What is forbidden in tiie seventh 

COMMANDMENT ? 

The seventh commandment forbiddeth all un- 
ohaste thoughts, words, and actions. 



THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT. 

1. May we take and use as our own that which be- 
longs to other persons ? 

We may not ; for it is against the eighth command- 
ment to do so. 

Therefore (73) Which is the eighth commandment ? 
The eighth commandment is, Thou shalt not 
steal. 



1. How are we to procure outward estate, or prop- 
erty ? 

Only in a lawful and proper manner. 

2. How are we to further, or increase the wealth and 
outward estate of ourselves and others f 

Only in such methods as are lawful ; such as the law 
of God allows. 



THE NINTH COMMANDMENT. 67 

Therefore (74) What is be quired in the eighth 

COMMANDMENT ? 

The eighth commandment requireth the lawful 
procuring and furthering the wealth and outward 
estate of ourselves and others. 



1. Is it right to neglect our temporal welfare and es- 
tate? 

God forbiddeth whatsoever doth or may unjustly hin- 
der our own wealth and outward estate, 

2. Are we to have any care for the interests of our 
neighbor ? 

God forbids our doing any thing that may wrongly 
hinder our neighbor's wealth and, outioard estate. 

Therefore (75) What is foebidden in the eighth 

COMMANDMENT ? 

The eighth commandment forbiddeth whatsoever 
doth or may unjustly hinder our own, or our neigh- 
bor's wealth or outward estate. 



THE NINTH COMMANDMENT. 

1. "What sort of witness, or testimony, are we not to 
hear against our neighbor ? 

False witness. We are to say nothing against him 
that is not true. 

Therefore (76) Which is the ninth commandment ? 
The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear 
false witness against thy neighbor. 



68 THE NINTH COMMANDMENT. 

1. "What are we to maintain .and promote between 
man and man ? 

God requires the maintaining and promoting of 
truth; that is, he requires us, when speaking of any 
person, to state the exact truth, and to induce others 
to do the same. 

2. What does God require concerning the good name 
of ourselves and others 2 

He requireth the preservation and improvement of 
that good name, or respectful regard, among men. 

3. When are we to be particularly careful to speak 
the truth, and to care for the good name, or reputation 
of others ? 

When we speak under oath, as witnesses in a court 
of justice. 

Therefore (77) What is required in the ninth 

COMMANDMENT ? 

The ninth commandment requireth the maintain- 
ing and promoting of truth between man and man, 
and of our own and our neighbor's good name, es- 
pecially in witness-bearing. 



1. When is a thing prejudicial to truth 1 
When it is hurtful to truth ; when it gives us a 
wrong opinion of any person's conduct or character. 

Therefore (78) What is forbidden in the ninth 

COMMANDMENT ? 

The ninth commandment forbiddeth whatsoever 
is prejudicial to truth, or injurious to our own or 
our neighbor's good name. 



THE TENTH COMMANDMENT. 69 

THE TENTH COMMANDMENT. 

1. To covet any thing ; what is meant by the phrase? 
It means to desire to gain or to obtain that thing. 

2. "What does this state of mind arise from ? 

It arises from a want of contentment with our present 
lot ; for if we are contented with what we have, we 
shall not be likely to desire what belongs to another 
man. 

3. What thought is calculated to make us contented? 
That that condition of life is best for us which God 

seems to have placed us in. 

Therefore (79) Which is the tenth commandment ? 

The tenth commandment is, Thou shalt not covet 
thy neighbor's house ; thou shalt not covet thy 
neighbor's wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid- 
servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that 
is thy neighbor's. 



1. What is meant by the word contentment? 

It means an easy and quiet state of mind ; the being 
satisfied with such things as God has given us. 

2. Toward our neighbors, what is the proper feel- 
ing? 

A right and charitable frame of spirit ; that is, a 
kind and loving temper ; a desire that others may be 
happy, as well as ourselves ; and that every thing be- 
longing to them may do well. 

Therefore (80) What is kequired in the tenth com- 
mandment? 

The tenth commandment requireth full content- 



10 DUTIES WHICH GOD REQUIRES. 

ment with our own condition ; with a right and 
charitable frame of spirit toward our neighbor, and 
all that is his. 



1. "With what are we not to be discontented, or un- 
easy? 

With our own estate, or situation in life. 

2. What are we not to envy, or grieve at, or be un- 
happy for ? 

"We are not to be uneasy and unhappy in view of the 
good of our neighbor ^oy of his welfare in any respect. 

3. Respecting our neighbor's property, what does 
God forbid? 

God forbids all inordinate motions and affections to 
any thing that is his ; that is, all unreasonable desires 
and wishes, and purposes to obtain what belongs to our 
neighbor. 

Therefore (81) What is forbidden in the tenth 

COMMANDMENT ? 

The tenth commandment forbiddeth all discon- 
tentment with our own estate, envying or grieving 
at the good of our neighbor, and all inordinate mo- 
tions and affections to any thing that is his. 



SPECIAL DUTIES WHICH GOD REQUIRES OF MAN UNDER 
THE GOSPEL DISPENSATION. 

Man's Inability to Jceep the Law. 
1. What is man not able to do? 
Jtfb mere man is able perfectly to Jceep the command- 
ments of God. 



DIFFERENT DEGREES OF GUILT. Yl 

2. During what time is he not able ? 
In this life. 

3. How long is it since man was able to keep them ? 
Since the fall, or the first sin of Adam. 

4=. How often does he break God's commandments ? 
Daily. 

5. How does he break them ? 
In thought, word, and deed. 

6. What man, and yet not a mere man, did always 
perfectly keep the commandments of God ? 

Jesus Christ, who was God as well as man. 

Therefore (82) Is any man able perfectly to keep 

THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD ? 

No mere man since the fall is able in this life 
perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but 
doth daily break them in thought, word, and deed. 



DIFFERENT DEGREES OF GUILT. 

1. How do sins appear in the sight of God? 
They appear heinous, hateful, bad. 

2. Do all sins seem to God alike heinous ? 

Some sins in themselves are more heinous, or bad, than 
others. 

3. What makes some sins more heinous than other 
sins? 

Some sins are more heinous than others, by reason of 
several aggravations which belong to them ; that is, on 
account of several things connected with them that 
make them worse than otherwise they would have 
been. 



72 SPECIAL DUTIES. 

Therefore (83) Are all transgressions of the law 

EQUALLY HEINOUS ? 

Some sins in themselves, and by reason of sev- 
eral aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of 
God than others. 



WHAT SIN DESERVES. 

1. "What does every sin deserve? 

Every sin deserveth God's wrath and curse ; his dis- 
pleasure, and the punishment that shows his displeasure. 

2. How long, and where, does sin deserve these ? 
Both in this life, and that which is to come, 

3. How long is the life to come ? 
It is everlasting. 

How long a punishment then do we deserve for every 
sin, for every instance in which we do what God for- 
bids, or fail to do what God requires ? 

"We deserve everlasting punishment. 

Therefore (84) "What doth every sin deserve ? 
Every sin deserveth God's wrath and curse, both 
in this life and that which is to come. 



SPECIAL DUTIES. 

1. What is due to us for sin f 
The wrath and curse of God. 

2. To escape this, what does God require ? 
God requireth faith in Jesus Christ. 

3. Is that all ? 

He requireth, also, repentance unto life, that change 
of mind and conduct which leads to life, or happiness. 



FAITH IN CHRIST. 73 

4. What does God require besides these ? 

They are to be followed with a diligent (or earnest) 
use of all the outioard means of religion. 

5. What means are these ? 

Those whereby Christ communicateth (or giveth) to lis 
the benefits of redemption. 

6. What are the benefits of redemption ? 

The blessings purchased by the blood of Christ, or 
given to ns on account of his death. 

Therefore (85) What doth God require of us, that 

WE MAY ESCAPE HIS WEATH AND CURSE DUE TO US FOR 

SIN? 

To escape the wrath and curse of God due to us 
for sin, God requireth of us faith in Jesus Christ, 
repentance unto life, with the diligent use of all the 
outward means whereby Christ communicateth to 
us the benefits of redemption. 



FAITH IN CHRIST. 

1. In whom are we to have faith f 
We are to have faith in Jes^xs Christ, 

2. What is this thing ? 

It is a saving grace ; or & favor which God grants, as- 
necessary to our being saved from sin and from hell. 

3. What sort of a thing is faith ? 

It is that state of our mind and feelings ichereby we 
receive Christ, regard him, and rest upon him alone, de- 
pend on him alone, for salvation. 

4. How are we to receive and to rest upon him ? 
As he is offered, or presented to us, in the Gospel ; 

in the New Testament. 

7 



74 REPENTANCE. 

5. How is he offered therein ? 

As a prophet, priest, and king. (See questions 28, 26). 

Therefore (86) What is faith in Jesus Christ ? 

Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, whereby 
we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, 
as he is offered to us in the Gospel. 



REPENTANCE. 

1. What other saving grace is there besides faith? 
Repentance unto life. 

2. What is this grace, or favor ? 

It is that whereby a sinner turns from Ms sin unto God. 

3. With what purpose and intention ? 

With full purpose of new obedience, or of a new and 
better manner of life. 

4. With what besides such a purpose ? 

With endeavor after new obedience ; he tries hard to 
live the new Hfe he has purposed or determined to fol- 
low. 

5. What led him thus to turn from his sin ? 

He did it out of a tru-e sense of his sin ; from a deep 
feeling that he had done wrong, had done wickedly in 
sinning against God. 

6. What besides this led him to turn ? 

It was an apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ ; 
a laying hold of the mercy which Grocl offers to sinners 
- on account of Christ, arising from a clear idea of that 
mercy. 

7. What feelings are produced by this true sense of 
sin, and believing view of divine mercy ? 

Grief and hatred of sin are thereby produced. 



OUTWARD MEANS OF SALVATION. iO 

Therefore (87) What is repentance unto life ? 

Repentance unto life is a saving grace, whereby 
a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin, and appre- 
hension of the mercy of God in Christ, doth, with 
grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God, 
with full purpose of, and endeavor after new obe- 
dience. 



the outward means of salvation. 

1. What benefits, or blessings, does Christ communi- 
cate, or bestow ? 

Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption. 

2. By what outward and ordinary means? 

By his ordinances ; that is, by certain things which 
God has appointed to be attended to, in order to obtain 
salvation. 

3. What are the principal outward means of salva- 
tion? 

They are the Word, Sacraments, and Prayer. 

4. To what persons are they made effectual ? 

All these means are made effectual to the elect for sal- 
vation ; that is, in the use of them the elect are saved. 

Therefore (88) What are the outward and or- 
dinary MEANS WHEREBY CHRIST COMMUNICATETH TO 
US THE BENEFITS OF REDEMPTION ? 

The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ 
communicateth to us the benefits of redemption, 
are his ordinances, especially the Word, sacraments, 
and prayer ; all which are made effectual to the 
elect for salvation. 



76 PROPER USE OF THE WORD OF GOD. 
EFFECTS OF THE WORD OF GOD. 

1. What does the Spirit of God make of the reading, 
but especially of the preaching of the Word ? 

He makes them an effectual means of convincing and 
converting sinners. 

2. Of what does the Word of God convince sinners ? 
It convinces them of their being sinners, and as such 

exposed to destruction, and therefore needing salvation. 

3. What is meant by converting sinners 1 

It is turning, or changing, their feelings from the 
hatred of God and holiness to the love of both. 

4. After sinners are converted, what does the Spirit 
of God do for them ? 

He makes the Word a means of ouilding them up in 
holiness and comfort unto salvation ; that is, of making 
them more holy and happy. 

5. How is this done ? 

Through faith on their part ; by causing them to 
oelieve, and trust in, what the Word of God declares. 

Therefore (89) How is the word made effectual 

TO SALVATION? 

The Spirit of God maketh the reading, but es- 
pecially the preaching of the Word an effectual 
means of convincing and converting sinners, and 
of building them up in holiness and comfort, through 
faith, unto salvation. 



proper use of the word of god. 
1. That the Word may oecome effectual to salvation 
what must we do ? 

We must attend thereunto with diligence, preparation, 



EFFICACY OF THE SACRAMENTS. 77 

and prayer ; we must put ourselves in a right state of 
mind ; that is, we must think seriously of what we 
read or hear of the Word of God : and we must pray 
about it. 

2. Is there any thing else to be done ? 
We must receive it toith faith and love. 

3. Is that all ? 

We must lay it up in our hearts, and practice it in 
our lives ; that is, we must remember, regard, and do 
what the Bible teaches us, if we would be saved. 

Therefore (90) How is the word to be eead and 

HEARD, THAT IT MAY BECOME EFFECTUAL TO SALVATION ? 

That the Word may become effectual to salva- 
tion, we must attend thereunto with diligence, prep- 
aration, and prayer, receive it with faith, and 
love, lay it up in our hearts, and practice it in our 
lives. 



THE EFFICACY OF THE SACRAMENTS. 

1. What do the sacraments become? 

The sacraments oecome effectual means of salvation. 

2. How do they so become ? 

Not from any virtue in them, or in him that doth ad- 
minister them; that is, not from any power in the 
sacraments, or in the minister. 

3. How then do they become effectual, or powerful ? 
Only oy the olessing of Christ ; by the power which 

he gives them over our feelings. 

4. What is added to the blessing of Christ ? 

The working of his Spirit in them that oy faith re- 
ceive them ; that is, receive the sacraments. 
>7& 



78 NATURE OF THE SACRAMENTS. 

Therefore (91) How do the sacraments becOxUE ef- 
fectual MEANS OF SALVATION? 

The sacraments become effectual means of sal- 
vation, not from any virtue in them or in him that 
doth administer them ; but only by the blessing of 
Christ, and the working of his Spirit in them that 
by faith receive them. 



OF THE NATURE OF THE SACRAMENTS. 

1. What do you mean by a sacrament? 

A sacrament is a holy ordinance, or outward form of 
religion. 

2. By whom was it instituted, or commanded ? 
It was instituted by Christ. 

3. "What is it intended to show forth ? 

Christ, and the benefits of the New Covenant, or the 
blessings of the Gospel. 

4. How is this done? 

By sensible signs ; by things that we can perceive ; 
by our senses ; by the eye, taste, touch, &c. 

5. In a sacrament, what is done with respect to 
Christ and the benefits of the New Covenant f 

They are therein represented, sealed, and applied to 



6. How are they represented? 

They are therein set forth in a striking manner. 

7. What is meant by their being sealed f 
They are made sure to us. 

8. What further is done ? 

They are applied (that is, given) to believers ; to those 
who trust in Christ. 



THE NATURE AND USE OF BAPTISM. 79 

Therefore (92) What is a sacrament ? 

A sacrament is a holy ordinance instituted by- 
Christ ; wherein, by sensible signs, Christ, and the 
benefits of the new covenant, are represented, sealed, 
and applied to believers. 



THE SACRAMENTS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. 

(93) Which are the sacraments of the New Tes- 
tament ? 

The sacraments of the New Testament are Bap- 
tism, and the Lord's Supper. 



OF THE NATURE AND USE OF BAPTISM. 

1. "What is the sensible sign used iti Baptism ? 
It is water. 

2. What is done with the water ? 
There is a washing with water. 

3. In whose name is water put upon the baptized 
person ? 

In the name of the Fatherland of the Son, arid of 
the Holy Ghost. 

4. What does this washing with water signify and seal? 
It doth signify and seal our ingrafting w ith Christ ; 

that is, our being united to Christ, our being Christians. 

5. What else doth it signify and seal ? 

It doth signify and seal our partaking of the benefits 
of the covenant of grace ; the blessings offered to be- 
lievers in the Gospel.- 

6. Of what else is it a sign and seal ? 

It signifies our engagement to be the Lord's ; our duty 



80 OF THE SUBJECTS OF BAPTISM. 

and choice to be given up entirely to the service of 
Christ, and to be treated according to his will. 

Therefore (94) What is baptism? 

Baptism is a sacrament, wherein the washing 
with water, in the name of the Father, and of the 
Son, and of the Holy Ghost, doth signify and seal 
our ingrafting into Christ, and partaking of the 
benefits of the covenant of grace, and our engage- 
ment to be the Lord's. 



OF THE SUBJECTS OF BAPTISM. 

1. To whom is Baptism not to be administered ? 
Baptism is not to be administered (or given) to any 

that are out of the visible Church ; that is, have not 
professed to be Christians, and joined the Church now 
seen on earth. 

2. Is Baptism never to be given to such ? 

IsTot till they profess their faith in Christ, and obedi- 
ence to him. 

3. Is any thing said concerning their infant children ? 
The infants of such as are members of the visible 

Church are to be baptized. 

Therefore (95) To whom is baptism to be admin- 
istered ? 

Baptism is not to be administered to any that 
are out of the visible Church, till they profess their 
faith in Christ, and obedience to him ; but the in- 
fants of such as are members of the visible Church 
are to be baptized. 



USE OF THE LORD'S SUPPER. 81 

OF THE NATURE AND USE OF THE LORD'S SUPPER. 

1. "What are the sensible signs used in the sacrament 
of the Lord's Supper ? 

Bread and Wine. 

2. Why are they used ? 

It is according to Christ's appointment, or direction. 

3. For what purpose, and how, are they used ? 

By giving and receiving bread and wine, his death is 
sJwwed forth ; there is here something strongly to re- 
mind us of his painful death. 

4. Who are made partakers of his body and blood? 
The worthy receivers ; those who receive the Lord's 

Supper in a right manner. 

5. How are the worthy receivers made partakers of 
his body and blood ? 

Not after a corporal and carnal manner, but by faith ; 
that is, not by eating and drinking simply, but by eat- 
ing and drinking in the exercise of faith ; having their 
thoughts and feelings engaged about Christ and the 
blessings which he promises. 

6. To be made partakers of Christ's body and blood, 
what is intended ? 

It means to be partakers of the blessings procured 
by his body broken and his blood shed. 

7. Hence, what is added ? 

The worthy receivers are said to be partakers of his 
body and blood, with all his benefits. 

8. And what is the advantage to them of observing 
this sacrament ? 

It is to their spiritual nourishment (or strength) and 
to their growth in grace. Its effect is to make them 
stronger, and better, and happier Christians. 



82 OBSERVANCE OF THE LORD'S SUPPER. 

Therefore (96) What is the Lord's supper ? 

The Lord's supper is a sacrament, wherein, by 
giving and receiving bread and wine, according to 
Christ's appointment, his death is showed forth; 
and the worthy receivers are, not after a corporal 
and carnal manner, but by faith, made partakers 
of his body and blood, with all his benefits, to their 
spiritual nourishment, and growth in grace. 



OF THE PROPER OBSERVANCE OF THE LORD S SUPPER. 

1. What is required of them that would worthily^ or 
in a suitable manner, partake of the Lord's supper f 

It is required of them, that they examine themselves 
of their knowledge to discern the Lord's body ; that they 
ask whether they understand that the bread and wine 
are designed to remind them of Christ and of his suf- 
ferings. 

2. Concerning what other things must they examine 
themselves ? 

Of their faith to feed upon him ; that is, whether 
they so believe and trust in Christ, herein set forth, that 
in partaking of the bread and wine, they derive from 
Christ the blessings which he died to procure for 
them. 

3. Are there not some other things concerning which 
they must examine or try themselves ? 

Of their repentance, love, and new obedience. 

4. Why should they try themselves on all these 
points? 

Lest, coming unworthily, they eat and drink judg- 
ment to themselves. 



THE NATURE OF PRAYER. 83 

• 5. What is meant by coming unworthily ? 

Coming in an ignorant, careless, and improper state 
of mind, and while living in. an unchristian manner. 

6. What is meant by eating and drinking judgment 
to themselves f 

It means so to eat as to expose themselves to the 
displeasure of God, and thus to suffering. 

Therefore (97) What is required to the worthy 

RECEIVING OF THE Lord's SUPPER? 

It is required of them that would worthily par- 
take of the Lord's supper, that they examine them- 
selves of their knowledge to discern the Lord's 
body, of their faith to feed upon him ; of their re- 
pentance, love, and new obedience ; lest, coming 
unworthily, they eat and drink judgment to them- 
selves. 



OF THE NATURE OF PRAYER. 

1. What sort of an offering is prayer ? 

Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God. It 
is telling him what we desire. 

2. What may we desire, and ask for, in prayer to 
God? 

For tilings agreeable to his will; for such things as 
he is willing to grant to us. 

3. May we come in our own name or in Christ's 
name 1 

In the name of Christ ; asking things on his account, 
for his sake, for the sake of what he has done for us as 
a Saviour. 



84 PREFACE TO THE LORD'S SUPPER. 

4. What are our desires, in prayer, to be connected 
with ? 

With confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledg- 
ment of his mercies. 

Therefore (98) What is prayer? 

Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, 
for things agreeable to his will, in the name of 
Christ, with confession of our sins, and thankful 
acknowledgment of his mercies. 



RULE FOR PRAYER. 

1. What is of use to direct us in prayer f 
The whole Word of God. 

2. What is the special rule of direction ? 

It is that form of prayer which Christ taught Ms dis- 
ciples. 

3. What is that form commonly called f 

The Lord's Prayer ; because he composed it for his 
disciples. 

Therefore (99) What rule hath God given for our 

DIRECTION IN PRAYER ? 

The whole word of God is of use to direct us in 
prayer ; but the special rule of direction is that 
form of prayer which Christ taught his disciples, 
commonly called, The Lord^s prayer. 



OF THE PREFACE TO THE LORD S PRAYER. 

1. Which is the preface of the Lord's Prayer? 
It is, Our Father which art in heaven. 



OF THE FIRST PETITION. 85 

2. "What does this preface teach us ? 

It tecbcheth us to draw near to God with all holy rever- 
ence and confidence ; with proper fear, and yet with hope 
of having a kind answer to our prayer, 

3. How, further, are we to draw near to God ? 

As children to a Father, able and ready to help us. 

4. What else does the preface teach us ? 

It teaches us that we should pray with and for oth- 
ers ; that we should not only pray by ourselves and for 
ourselves, but for others, and in company with others. 

Therefore (100) "What doth the preface of the 

LOED r S PEAYER TEACH US? 

The preface of the Lord's prayer (which is, Our 
Father which art in heaven), teaeheth us to draw 
near to God with all holy reverence and confidence, 
as children to a father, able and ready to help us ; 
and that we should pray with and for others. 



OF THE FIRST PETITION. 



1. Which is the first petition, or thing asked for ? 
It is, Hallowed be thy name. 

2. In the first petition what do we pray ? 

We pray that God would enable us and others to 
glorify him. 

3. In what respects should we glorify, or honor him ? 
In all that whereby he malces himself hnoion. 

4. What else, in this first petition, do we ask for ? 
That he would dispose all things to his own glory ; 

that he would make all things honor him 
8 



86 OF THE SECOND PETITION. 

Therefore (101) Wiiat do we peay fob in the first 

PETITION ? 

In the first petition (which is, Hallowed be thy 
name), we pray that God would enable us and oth- 
ers to glorify him in all that whereby he maketh 
himself known ; and that he would dispose all 
things to his own glory. 



OF* THE SECOND PETITION. 



1. "Which is the second petition ? 
It is, Thy kingdom come. 

2. In the second petition what do we pray ? 

We pray that Satan's kingdom may be destroyed; 
that is, that Satan's power and bad influence over us 
and others may be brought to an end. 

3. Concerning what other kingdom do we pray ? 
"We pray that the kingdom of grace may be advanced ; 

that is, that Christ may have more persons to serve 
him, and that all who now serve him may do it more 
faithfully. 

4. "When, therefore, is the kingdom of grace ad- 
vanced ? 

"When ourselves and others are brought into it and 
kept in it; when we become and continue the willing 
subjects and servants of Christ. 

5. "What else does this second petition include ? 
That the kingdom of glory may be hastened ; that the 

time may come when we and others shall be admitted 
into heaven ; that bright and happy place, where God 
is honored by all in the highest and best manner. 



OF THE FOURTH PETITION. 87 

Therefore (102) "What do we pray foe in the sec- 
ond PETITION? 

In the second petition (which is, Thy kingdom 
come), we pray that Satan's kingdom may be de- 
stroyed ; and that the kingdom of grace may be 
advanced, ourselves and others brought into it, and 
kept in it ; and that the kingdom of glory may be 
hastened. 



of the third petition. 

1. Which is the third petition ? 

It is, Thy id ill be done in earth, as it is in heaven, 

2. In the third petition what do we pray for ? 

We pray that God, by his grace, would make its able 
and willing to Tcnow, obey, and submit to his will. 

3. How far? 

In all things, as the angels do in heaven. 

Therefore (103) What do we prat for in the 

THIRD PETITION ? 

In the third petition (which is, Thy will be done 
in earth, as it is in heaven), we pray that God, by 
his grace, would make us able and willing to know, 
obey, and submit to his will in all things, as the an- 
^els do in heaven. 



OF THE FOURTH PETITION. 

1. Which is the fourth petition? 

It is, Give us this day our daily bread. 

2. In the fourth petition what do we pray for? 

We pray that we may receive a competent portion of 



88 OF THE FIFTH PETITION. 

the good things of this life ; that is, a sufficient and 
proper share of them. 

3. How receive them ? 

Of God's free gift ; that is, as something which we 
do not in the least degree deserve. 

4. Do we, in this petition, ask of God only for the 
good things of this life ? 

We ask also that we may enjoy his blessing icith them ; 
that is, that he would make them useful to us. 

Therefore (104) "What do we pray for in the 

FOURTH PETITION? 

In the fourth petition (which is, Give us this day 
our daily bread), we pray that of God's free gift we 
may receive a competent portion of the good things 
of this life, and enjoy his blessing with them. 



OF THE FIFTH PETITION. 

1. Which is the fifth petition? 

It is, And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debt- 
ors. 

2. In the fifth 'petition what do we pray for? 

We pray that God would freely pardon all our sins ; 
that is, pardon them without any pay from us. 

3. For whose sake, then, do we ask him to pardon 
them? 

For Christ's sake; for the sake of what he has done 
and suffered for us. 

4. By what are we the rather encouraged to ash this ? 
Because, by his grace, we are enabled from the heart 

to forgive others ; that is, to treat them kindly, as if 
they had not wronged, or injured us. 



OF THE SIXTH PETITION. 8\) 

Therefore (105) What do we peay foe in the fifth 

PETITION ? 

In the fifth petition (which is, And forgive us our 
debts, as we forgive our debtors), we pray that God, 
for Christ's sake, would freely pardon all our sins ; 
which we are the rather encouraged to ask, because 
by his grace we are enabled from the heart to for- 
give others. 



OF THE SIXTH PETITION. 

1. "Which is the sixth petition ? 

It is, And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us 
from evil. 

2. In the sixth petition what do we pray for ? 

We pray that God would Iceep us from being tempted 
to sin; that is, that God would keep us from being 
urged or persuaded to sin. 

3. What other thing do we therein ask for ? 

That God would support and deliver us ichen we are 
tempted ; that he would preserve us from being led into 
actual sin when urged or inclined to commit it. 

Therefore (106) What do we peay foe in the sixth 
petition ? 

In the sixth petition (which is, And lead us not 
into temptation, but deliver us from evil), we pray 
that God would either keep us from being tempted 
to sin : or support and deliver us when we are 
tempted. 

8* 



90 CONCLUSION OF THE LORD'S PRAYER. 

OF THE CONCLUSION OF THE LORD'S PRAYER. 

1. Which is the conclusion of the Lord's Prayer? 

It is, For thine is the kingdom, and the powei\ and 
the glory, for ever, Amen, 

2. What does the conclusion, or close, of the Lord's 
prayer teacli us ? 

It teacheth us to take our encouragement in prayer 
from God only ; to expect blessings from him only, in 
answer to prayer. 

3. What else does it teach us ? 

It teacheth us, in our prayers to praise him. 

4. And how are we to praise him ? 

Ascribing kingdom, power, and glory to him ; that is, 
declaring that these belong of right to him ; that he is 
the highest king ; that he has all power to give what 
we ask and what we need ; that he has every perfec- 
tion, and every excellence, and that these will be shown 
in answering the petitions of this prayer. 

5. Why do we say, Amen f 

It is in testimony of our desire and assurance to be 
heard ; it is an expression which means that we wish 
and expect to obtain what we have thus asked for. 

Therefore (107) What doth the conclusion of the 
Lord's prayer teach us? 

The conclusion of the Lord's prayer (which is, 
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the 
glory, for ever, Amen) teacheth us to take our en- 
couragement in prayer from God only ; and in our 
prayers to praise him, ascribing kingdom power, 
and glory to him. And in testimony of our desire- 
and assurance to be heard, we say, Amen. 



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J A PASTOR'S S KETCHES. By J. S. Spencer, RD. Of this remarkable ) 



work upv ar<i of twenty thousand volumes have already been sold, y 

2 vols., unifon . (\Jb 

SERMONS BY J. 8; SPENCER, D.D., with a Sketch of his Life' by g^ 

Rev. J. M. Sherwood. Embellished with a tine Portrait from n Stee? < * 

engraving by Ritchie. 2 large 12mo. vols, 
© WESTMINSTER SHORTER CATECHISM, with Analysis S< rlr> 
\ tural Proofs, Explanatory and Practical Inferences, and Ulusti at: v« 
J Anecdotes By Rev. Jas. R.Boyd. 




(y SCEIITEriJE MANUAL, alphabetically and systematically a. 
/ By Charles Simmons. 
XTilk CHRISTIAN eetjr 
I \ ]))v v< it, bringing if dow 



! ^:>'ua-_ 



\PECT AND REGISTER; with a Sup- v 
to the present time. By Robert Baird, v 




